California Primary Ballot Measure Results
March 6, 2002
Californians cast votes on six ballot measures in their March 5, 2002 primary, passing all but one. The only measure to fail was also the only citizen initiative on the ballot -- the rest were referred by the Legislature.
Proposition 45, which garnered only 42% of the vote, would have modified the state's legislative term limits law. Under the provisions of Prop. 45, a legislator facing the end of his tenure in office could have gathered signatures from 20% of the voters in his district, allowing him to run for up to four more years. Critics of the measure alleged that it would have led to a vast increase in unregulated political spending, as interest groups gave money for the signature-gathering process. Supporters, which included the state Democratic party, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and a broad coalition of industries, alleged that term limits were harming the California Legislature's policymaking abilities and called them undemocratic, as they restrict voters' rights to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Other measures on the primary ballot included:
|
Prop. 40 |
Water/Air/Parks/Coast Protection |
Passed |
(57%) |
A $2.6 billion bond act funding initiatives for clean water and air, improving parks, coast protection, and open space preservation.
|
Prop. 41 |
Voting Modernization Act |
Passed |
(52%) |
A $200 million bond act to fund the modernization of voting equipment -- allows counties to buy new voting equipment to replace punch card machines.
|
Prop. 42 |
Transportation Funding |
Passed |
(69%) |
Requires that fuel tax revenues be used for transportation improvements, including mass transit, city and county street repairs, and state highway improvements.
|
Prop. 43 |
Right to Have Vote Counted |
Passed |
(71%) |
A constitutional amendment guaranteeing each voter's right to have his vote counted if he cast his vote in accordance with state law.
|
Prop. 44 |
Insurance Fraud |
Passed |
(80%) |
Regulates unprofessional conduct by chiropractors.
|
Prop. 45 |
Legislative Term Limits |
Failed |
(42%) |
Allows voters to submit petition signatures to permit their incumbent legislator to run for re-election(s) and serve maximum of four years beyond terms provided for in Constitution if majority of voters approves.
For complete primary election results, as well as a voter information pamphlet including detailed information on all of the above ballot measures, visit the California Secretary of State.
For more information please contact Jennie Bowser elections-info@ncsl.org.
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